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Mafic magma, which is low in silica content, has a lower viscosity, allowing gases to escape easily during an eruption, resulting in quiet flows. In contrast, felsic magma is high in silica, making it more viscous and trapping gases within. When pressure builds up in felsic magma, it can lead to explosive eruptions as the trapped gases are released violently. This fundamental difference in composition and viscosity accounts for the contrasting eruption styles.

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How the composition of magma determines an eruption's characteristics?

Silica(te) rich magma is usually an explosive eruption. The explosiveness of an eruption depends on - a) Gases trapped within the magma at eruption b) The Silica content c) The fragility of the crater walls and/or the volcanic plug.


Does Krakatoa have felsic magma or mafic?

Krakatoa volcano typically has mafic magma, which is low in silica content and high in magnesium and iron. This type of magma tends to be more fluid and can lead to explosive eruptions due to the rapid release of gases.


Why are felsic rocks melted by mafic magmas but mafic rocks are not melted by felsic magmas?

Felsic rocks have a lower melting point than mafic rocks and felsic magma has a lower temperature. In other words, felsic magma is not hot enough to melt mafic rock while mafic magma is hot enough to melt felsic rock.


Is mafic magma explosive?

Not usually. Mafic magma usually has a low gas content than felsic or intermediate magma, so eruptions are often effusive. Cinder cones primarily erupt mafic lava with a low level of explosivity. Explosive eruptions can also occur if the magma comes in contact with groundwater.


What is the difference between magic and Felsic magma?

Magic magma, often referred to as mafic magma, is rich in iron and magnesium and typically has a lower silica content, resulting in a darker color and denser composition. In contrast, felsic magma contains a higher silica content, along with greater amounts of aluminum, potassium, and sodium, leading to a lighter color and lower density. This compositional difference influences their viscosity, eruption styles, and the types of volcanic rocks they produce, with felsic magma generally being more explosive than mafic magma.

Related Questions

What do quiet lava eruptions generally result from?

Volcanic eruptions are always caused by magma. This applies if the eruption is quiet or explosive, or whether the magma is felsic or mafic.


How the composition of magma determines an eruption's characteristics?

Silica(te) rich magma is usually an explosive eruption. The explosiveness of an eruption depends on - a) Gases trapped within the magma at eruption b) The Silica content c) The fragility of the crater walls and/or the volcanic plug.


Does Krakatoa have felsic magma or mafic?

Krakatoa volcano typically has mafic magma, which is low in silica content and high in magnesium and iron. This type of magma tends to be more fluid and can lead to explosive eruptions due to the rapid release of gases.


Why are felsic rocks melted by mafic magmas but mafic rocks are not melted by felsic magmas?

Felsic rocks have a lower melting point than mafic rocks and felsic magma has a lower temperature. In other words, felsic magma is not hot enough to melt mafic rock while mafic magma is hot enough to melt felsic rock.


Is mafic magma explosive?

Not usually. Mafic magma usually has a low gas content than felsic or intermediate magma, so eruptions are often effusive. Cinder cones primarily erupt mafic lava with a low level of explosivity. Explosive eruptions can also occur if the magma comes in contact with groundwater.


Does mafic magma explode?

Mafic magmas generally have lower viscosity and gas content compared to felsic magmas, so they tend to flow more easily rather than explode. However, in certain conditions where gas build-up is high and pressure is released rapidly, mafic magma may still explode, but it is less common than with felsic magmas.


The types of magma?

Felsic, intermediate, mafic and ultra mafic are the four broad types of magma.


What is the difference between magic and Felsic magma?

Magic magma, often referred to as mafic magma, is rich in iron and magnesium and typically has a lower silica content, resulting in a darker color and denser composition. In contrast, felsic magma contains a higher silica content, along with greater amounts of aluminum, potassium, and sodium, leading to a lighter color and lower density. This compositional difference influences their viscosity, eruption styles, and the types of volcanic rocks they produce, with felsic magma generally being more explosive than mafic magma.


What eruption is worse mafic or silicic?

Eruptions involcing silicic or felsic magma are generally the worst. Eruptions of mafic material are usually effusive or only mildly explosive, producing cinders or lava flows. Eruptions of felsic material often produce large ash clouds and deadly pyroclastic flows.


What are the two types of magma?

The two main types of magma are mafic and felsic.


What type of magna has a low silica content?

Magma with low silica content is typically referred to as mafic magma. Mafic magma is characterized by its high temperature and low viscosity, which allows for the eruption of lava flows. This type of magma is commonly associated with basaltic rocks.


Does mt etna have mafic or felsic lava?

Oh, dude, Mt. Etna has both mafic and felsic lava. It's like a lava buffet up there! Mafic lava is low in silica and more runny, while felsic lava is high in silica and thicker. So, yeah, Mt. Etna serves up a mix of both, keeping things interesting for all the volcano enthusiasts out there.